Understanding the Context of Resiliency of Recent Older Immigrant Entrepreneurs

This exploratory qualitative study examines the characteristics of resiliency in recent older immigrant entrepreneurs. Our participants are a novel and rich research focus because they have engaged formidable challenges from multiple sources—recent migration, advanced age, and new venture formation. Accordingly, we ask: “What is the relationship between entrepreneurship and resiliency in recent, older immigrant entrepreneurs?” A mixed embeddedness approach is employed to develop an integrated, multi-level framework representing the relationship between demonstrated resiliency and the multi-level factors associated with it. Participants described resiliency resulting from the dynamic interaction of their environments and their reserves of capabilities, experiences, and resources. Macro-level supports were varied. Those dispensed by the government cushioned the challenges, while support agencies offered multi-dimensional benefits like aiding crucial English-language acquisition, securing business licenses, and expanding social networks. By comparison, the meso- and micro-levels were dominated by two social/economic units: businesses and families. Ventures consisted overwhelmingly of business, personal, and household services; retail; and restaurants. Simultaneously, the ventures were essentially family businesses. Carefully chosen opportunities and family involvement provided control over risk exposure and elevated returns (broadly construed) by maintaining family cohesion; melding with the community; and by generating knowledge acquisition, identity definition, and community relations.